Astros report: Ramsus being treated for skin infection

Astros right fielder George Springer (4) makes a diving catch of a line drive by Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain during the third inning Monday night. Cain went 0-for-4 on the night.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

Outfielder Colby Rasmus first noticed the skin infection on his left wrist during the middle series of three on the Astros' most recent trip, while the club was in Seattle, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday.

Rasmus was scratched from the lineup Saturday and has not played since as the infection is being treated with antibiotics.

A bug bite of some sort is the believed culprit, Hinch said, noting there never was concern over the nature of infection.

"It's more about managing the medication more than anything," Hinch said. "He first remembers it back in Seattle on the road trip and we go through Anaheim. Progressively, he started feeling a little more lethargic and worse and he got a little bit of swelling around the wound, and then now we just want to make sure he's back to 100 percent."

Rasmus was not around Monday to speak to the media. He has been to the Texas Medical Center, although he has not stayed overnight to Hinch's knowledge.

"It's really hit him hard," Hinch said. "He's not in the lineup obviously and won't be here for a while. He's off-site getting looked at by some doctors."

Hinch noted that Rasmus tapes his wrists, so the bite wasn't noticeable at first. The infection hasn't spread, Hinch said.

Asked if Rasmus was losing weight or in pain, Hinch said he thought the outfielder was more drained than anything.

"When you take medication, it can cause you to be a little sleepy and stuff like that," Hinch said. "I don't think there's great pain as much as there's literally irritation. I expect this to be resolved (by the road trip)."

The Astros have not put Rasmus on the disabled list, making them down a man.

Injuries continue to vex Hinch

As he went down the list of injuries, manager A.J. Hinch joked he is running a MASH unit, with six players on the disabled list. Outfielder Jake Marisnick (left hamstring) and Scott Feldman (right knee surgery) are nearing rehab assignments.

Marisnick did agility drills Monday; Feldman went for pitcher's fielding practice. Feldman is to throw a simulated game Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, and if that goes well, could be assigned to a minor league affiliate for a start of three to four innings.

Pitchers Brad Peacock (left intercostal strain) and Sam Deduno (lower right back strain) are not increasing activity, Hinch said. With the amount of time both have missed, they don't figure to be factors soon.

"The ground balls are not a problem for him. Throwing's not a problem for him. We're being very tentative with the swinging."

Gregerson enjoys role as closer

He was an unknown in the role but as solid a bet as any.

Luke Gregerson is half a season into his inaugural year as closer and is 18-for-20 in save chances.

More encouragingly, the Astros righthander has his highest strikeout rate - 9.2 per nine innings - since he fanned an average of 10.2 per nine in 2010.

"You have to have that one guy that can get those three outs in the ninth inning, and you have confidence in, and we have it in Luke," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "He's done a nice job of basically shutting down the opposition when we have a lead in the ninth inning. It gives us a lot of comfort when we see him get on the mound."

A sinker-slider pitcher, Gregerson has been more reliant on his sinker this season than in any previous year, per BrooksBaseball.net.

He has getting a higher percentage of whiffs per swing on the pitch, too, than he has ever had at season's end: 23.68 percent.

"I think in general, I think I just tried to slow everything down and not move too quickly to throw myself out of sync," Gregerson, 31, said.

He had an effective track record when the Astros signed him over the winter, but had never been tested long term in the ninth-inning role, which pitchers will tell you is different.

With a 3.56 ERA, 31 strikeouts and just six walks in 301⁄3 innings, the results have been strong.

"It's been good," Gregerson said. "I really feel like it's the same scenario that you get into when you're in the seventh or eighth.

"Obviously the ninth, it's a little bit more vital position because the final three outs, you just got to go out there lock it down and make sure you secure that win.

"Something happens in the seventh or eighth, you got a chance to bounce back. It's that added little pressure in the game. But I feel like I've handled it well, feel like I've gone out there and done what I normally do, and things have been good."

For all relief pitchers, closing is a goal. Collectively, baseball understands there can be higher-leverage situations - tougher, more important situations key to the game - in the seventh and eighth innings, yet the closer remains ubiquitous. The definition of roles in the bullpen remains important to most relievers.

And the closer is the most prominent role.

"Yeah, absolutely, always wanted to have a chance at it," Gregerson said. "Got to do it in the minor leagues for a while and did it in college and I got to pitch behind some really good relievers in San Diego and in Oakland. I've always felt like I could handle the task, and now I get that opportunity."

Lefthander Joe Thatcher has been close with Gregerson since their days with the Padres, and the former knew his buddy was prepared.

"It was a challenge that he knew he was ready for," said Thatcher, who is having a fine season with a 2.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 171⁄3 innings. "He's had success everywhere he's been, year in and year out. He doesn't have typical closer stuff, but he gets outs. Guys never put good swings on balls. I know he relishes being a closer. It's one of those jobs where you can't be scared to fail, and he's not.

"Most people in the bullpen have confidence in themselves, would like to close. It's a prominent role. It's a chance to make a lot more money. To be a closer is special, and I've been talking to him - I knew he was ready for it, so it's no surprise."

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